Nominations close for Flemington features

The Melbourne Cup quinella pairing of Rekindling and Johannes Vermeer headline nominations for the Australian Cup.

Entries for the March 10 Group One feature over 2000m at Flemington closed on Tuesday with 53 horses entered.

Rekindling won last year’s Melbourne Cup for Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien and remained in Australia to spell at owner Lloyd Williams’ property at Mount Macedon.

He has been entered for the Australian Cup under new trainer Liam Howley who also now trains Johannes Vermeer along with other nominations Alamndin, Aloft, Homesman and The Taj Mahal.

Others entered for the $1.5 million race include last year’s winner Humidor, Emirates Stakes winner Tosen Stardom, New Zealand mare Bonneval and Ventura Storm who is one of 13 nominations for Lindsay Park.

Redkirk Warrior, who became the first horse for 100 years to win the Newmarket Handicap first-up last year, will be attempting another slice of history this year.

It is 25 years since Razor Sharp won the race in consecutive years.

Redkirk Warrior is one of 13 horses from the Lindsay Park stables of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig to be nominated for the Newmarket which has attracted 56 entries.

Inaugural Everest winner Redzel will attempt another straight 1200m feature sprint to follow his Darley Classic success last spring in the 1200m handicap on March 10.

Other nominations include Merchant Navy, winner of the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington, The Everest third placegetter Brave Smash along with New Zealand sprinter Volpe Veloce who won the Railway Stakes earlier this month.

The Australian Guineas (1600m) for three-year-olds on March 3 has attracted 112 nominations.

Mighty Boss, winner of the Caulfield Guineas in the spring, will be attempting to become the first horse since Mahogany in 1993-94 to complete the double.

Aloisia, winner of the Thousand Guineas in the spring, will be attempting to follow Miss Finland who won the respective races in 2006-07.